NISSAN MICRA CUP READY FOR ITS DEBUT

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, Canada – A first in Canadian motorsports takes place in one week when the Nissan Micra Cup kicks off its inaugural season. Canada's most affordable racing series, the Nissan Micra Cup, will commence on Friday, May 22, at the legendary Circuit Mont-Tremblant, as part of the annual Spring Classic, and heralding in a new era of one-make racing.

What was still but a dream six months ago became a reality for promoter JD Promotion & Competition and Nissan Canada. This series, considered the most affordable in Canadian motorsport, is already an apparent success with more than twenty-five drivers expected to contest the first race this Saturday and Sunday.

"The Nissan Micra, this subcompact, fun-to-drive car, is extremely well-suited to the track, as proven through over 35 hours of extensive testing, in addition to the long hours each of the 25 Micra Cup race cars spent in weekend-long testing sessions this month with their respective drivers," says Jacques Deshaies, owner of JD Promotion & Competition. "Seeing the idea to offer Canadians an affordable, exciting racing series come to fruition brings me immense joy. I am thankful to Nissan Canada for helping me realize this dream, and with a car that has truly risen to the challenge – the stock Nissan Micra S."

Drivers from a plethora of different backgrounds and experiences will be on the track: from Marc-André Bergeron - well-known to the Canadian sports fans for his fruitful hockey career, will be driving for Nissan Trois-Rivières; as well as two female drivers, Valérie Chiasson and Valérie Limoges. After shining last year in the Canadian Touring Car Championship and in prototypes, Valérie Chiasson has set her sights high for her Groupe Nissan Gabriel Micra. Valérie Limoges returns to the competitive fold with the H. Grégoire Team Nissan Micra.

The Nissan Micra Cup will also have two global track stars on the grid, coming from the Nissan GT Academy. Abhinay Bikkani from India and Thanaroj Thanasitnitiket from Thailand, will kick off their Canadian motorsport debuts this weekend at Circuit Mont-Tremblant.

In total, no less that nine rookie drivers are expected at Circuit Mont-Tremblant next weekend, including three drivers representing Groupe Albi Le Géant: Olivier Pelletier, Claude Leclerc and Marc-Antoine Demers, who, albeit a novice road racer, has displayed his talent in NASCAR competitions these past few years. The six other novice drivers are Frédéric Bernier, Mario Berthiaume, Yves Aubé, Chris Sahakian, Metod Topolnik and Canadian karting champion Francis Mondou. Also entered is veteran Quebecker Jacques Bélanger, a multi-time past champion in different categories and someone who is very familiar with all of the tracks being used for this first season of the Nissan Micra Cup.

"The Nissan Micra Cup race cars are ready, the competitors have been anxiously waiting months to race, and their excitement is contagious! Everyone at Nissan Canada and motorsport fans across Quebec will be on the edge of their seats when the Nissan Micra Cup commences next weekend," says Christian Meunier, president of Nissan Canada Inc. "For some drivers, victory and the title are clearly their goals. For others, it's the idea of being able to practice motorsports in the best possible conditions, and Nissan is delighted to help offer that through the Nissan Micra Cup."

Next Friday May 22, the drivers will be in action for the two half-hour free practice sessions. On Saturday, May 23, qualifying is scheduled as of 9:30 a.m., followed by the first of the two races at 1:30 p.m. The second round will be contested on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. The Nissan Micra Cup races will all be 30 minutes in duration.

For more information on the Nissan Micra Cup and its drivers, visit www.nissan.ca/micracup.

Nissan Micra Cup 2015 Season Schedule:

May 22-24

Classique de printemps, Circuit Mont-Tremblant

June 5, 6, 7

Formula 1 Grand Prix du Canada

July 25-26

Classique d'été, Circuit Mont-Tremblant

July 31-August 2

Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières

August 15

Circuit St-Eustache

September 25-27

Classique d’automne, Circuit Mont-Tremblant

About the Nissan Micra CupSanctioned by Auto Sport Québec (ASQ) and presented by JD Promotion & Compétition with the support of Nissan Canada, the Nissan Micra Cup exclusively features the stock Micra 1.6 S M/T model with minor modifications, including NISMO suspension - to render it race-ready.

Unlike most motorsport events, each competing Nissan Micra race vehicle will have the exact same specifications, resulting in a competition that truly reveals the most skilled drivers. The Nissan Micra Cup race vehicles remain equipped with the Nissan Micra's stock 1.6-litre DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control) and stock 5-speed manual transmission. More than 25 Nissan Micras will compete on each race weekend which will include two hours of track time consisting of: a 30-minute trial, a 30-minute qualifying session and two 30-minute races.

Young karting drivers, the average Canadian looking for an entry point into motorsport competition, or anyone who wants to experience the rush of adrenaline inherent with racing cars are all well-suited to this series. In summary, the Nissan Micra Cup is for people who are passionate about motorsports, want to experience all the fun and thrills of racing, but without spending staggering amounts of money.

About the Nissan MicraIn 2014, the Nissan Micra returned to Canada after 23 years as an all-new model, offering Canadians unbeatable value with the lowest starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) in Canada at $9,998. One item that sets the 2015 Micra apart is its agility. Micra is easy to drive and park, thanks to excellent all-round visibility and turning radius, electric power steering and a power to weight ratio that surprises. Powering the front-wheel drive Micra is a DOHC 1.6-litre 4-cylinder engine rated at 109 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft. of torque @ 4,400 rpm.